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Earth Notes

Earth Notes

The Colorado Plateau is one of North America’s human and environmental treasures. Ancient cultures have called this land of sun-baked deserts and lush mountain landscapes home for centuries. Earth Notes, KNAU’s weekly environmental series, explores the Plateau by telling stories of the intricate relationships between environmental issues and our daily lives.

Rooted in science and wrapped in human interest, the two minute long segments encourage listeners to think of themselves as part of the solution to environmental problems. Upbeat and informative, the program tries to foster hope and dampen despair about the environment, and motivate listeners to become more conscious and informed stewards of the Colorado Plateau.

  • Monsoon storm over the San Francisco Peaks in Arizona.
    Mike Elson
    /
    USGS Coconino National Forest
    In May the atmosphere’s concentration of carbon dioxide exceeded 430 parts per million for the first time in recorded history. That’s bad news for many ecosystems and for human communities and societies that rely on them. But there might be a silver lining for residents of the Southwest who like rainy summers.
  • A rainbow forms on a stormy day over the San Francisco Peaks in Flagstaff, Arizona.
    Mike Elson
    /
    USFS/Coconino National Forest
    Rain comes when water molecules in the atmosphere clump together to form ice crystals or water droplets that are heavy enough to fall to the ground. But what causes that clumping to happen?